Chief of the Naval Staff on this occasion expressed his complete satisfaction on the operational readiness of PN fleet and commended the officers and men for their commitment and professionalism.

The weapons tested included newly inducted weapon systems, such as anti surface missiles from F-22 P Frigate and air-to-surface missiles from P3C aircraft.

An important feature of the event was firing of subsurface-to-surface missiles from Agosta 90B submarines. The target set was successfully engaged.

Earlier, the weapons firing zone spread over hundreds of miles at sea was cleared of all merchant ships and fishing craft through extensive range clearance operations to ensure safe conduct of the activity.

While reassuring Pakistan Navy’s commitment of defending the motherland, this strike capability would also send a message of deterrence to anyone harbouring nefarious designs against Pakistan, the ISPR (Navy) press release added.

Doha—Pakistan Embassy has announced the participation of Pakistan Navy in DIMDEX 2010. Two Pakistani Navy ships and a submarine will be in arriving at the Doha Port on March 28 to participate in DIMDEX 2010 exhibition and seminar, according to Pakistan Embassy in Qatar.

Units participating include PNS Zulfiquar, a frigate recently commissioned in Pakistan Navy. The ship is fitted with state of the art weapons and sensors and carries a Z9EC helicopter, according to a Qatari newspaper The Pennisula.

The ship is part of the F-22P Project which encompasses construction of three frigates in China and also envisages complete transfer of technology for the construction of fourth ship at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works.

PN Submarine Humza is also going to be present in Doha during the exhibition. The submarine was constructed by Pakistan Navy in collaboration with DCNS of France.

Hamza is the first submarine to incorporate Mesma which is an air independent propulsion system installed to achieve an increase in submerged endurance.

The submarine by virtue of its weapons and sensors outfit, equipment efficiency, stealth and well-knit crew is fully capable of undertaking variety of missions.

Third unit to be present at the DIMDEX is PN Missile boat Quwwat. PNS Quwwat was constructed at the Karachi shipyard in 2006.—Online